Workshop to discuss Medicaid work requirements

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee and the Senate Majority Policy Committee jointly will hold a workshop in Harrisburg Wednesday to discuss the work requirements for able-bodied, nonelderly Medicaid recipients.

“Medicaid is one of the most expensive programs in the state and costs are projected to continue to rise,” Senate Majority Policy Chairman David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) said. “Right now we have 486,000 non-disabled, non-elderly Medicaid recipients in Pennsylvania who are not working. We are not trying to drag somebody out of a treatment facility or force great-grandma to work in a coal mine. Rather, our goal is to come together and discuss this issue thoroughly with professionals so that we can come to a meaningful compromise to address this issue.”

Several organizations are expected to speak at the workshop. They include the Foundation for Government Accountability, the Commonwealth Foundation, the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association, the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, representatives from Community Legal Services, and Teresa Miller, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services secretary.

Legislation has been introduced in the Senate that would require some Medicaid recipients to work, seek employment, attend job training programs, or volunteer to continue receiving benefits.

Gov. Tom Wolf asked for $12.9 billion for the Department of Human Services to cover additional costs.